Victoria House collapse: No record of building occupants

A day after a major portion of the 115-year-old Victoria House building in Lower Parel collapsed on Monday bringing down two of its floors and killing two employees, the civic body is yet to ascertain the legal records of the occupants of the building.

A day after a major portion of the 115-year-old Victoria House building in Lower Parel collapsed on Monday bringing down two of its floors and killing two employees, the civic body is yet to ascertain the legal records of the occupants of the building.

Renovation, including structural changes, were being carried out on the ground floor office which reportedly damaged the pillar leading to the collapse of the entire portion. The BMC has blamed the occupants of the building entirely for the mishap as they had not sought any permissions to carry out internal alterations to the building.

“The BMC was not approached for permission for these repairs. So, there are no records with the BMC at present about the occupants. We are yet to gather information about the owners or occupants of the ground floor where repairs were being carried out. Investigations are on,” said Keshav Ubale, assistant municipal commissioner of G South ward.

Owing to lack of information about the structure, the BMC is yet to come to a conclusion over the next course of action.

Ubale said the ground floor of the building was occupied by Daily News and Analysis Limited which was later vacated, following which renovation work of the office was being carried out.

“The affected portion of the building has been sealed and the debris is still being removed,” Ubale said.

There is criticism against the owners or lessees who have taken over old mill structures and conducted unauthorised structural modifications. “There should be inspection of these buildings to check on violations,” said Kishori Pednekar, local Shiv Sena corporator.

Injured undergo surgery at JaslokSantan Panikar, 60, who was injured when a part of the JSW Ispat Steel Limited office at Victoria House in Lower Parel collapsed on Monday, underwent critical surgery at Jaslok Hospital, Peddar Road on Tuesday.

Doctors said he was operated on for his fractured legs and ribs. “He is scheduled for another surgery on Wednesday for nerve damage he suffered on his shoulder,” said Dr (Col) RR Pulgaonkar, CEO, Jaslok Hospital.

Another victim, Hiral Dave, 35, will undergo plastic surgery on Wednesday for injuries she sustained in the collapse.

Two persons – Amruta Shukla, 29, and Manoj Shukla – died, and six others were injured in the collapse.